SharperIron on your mobile phone
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Just a question for smart phone users. How well does SI work on your phone? Do we need a special version of the site to join the smart phone revolution?
I just use a “stupid phone,” myself, so user feedback much needed.
I just use a “stupid phone,” myself, so user feedback much needed.
It’s a bit crowded as one would expect, but SI works fine on my Droid. I can’t scroll the different ‘boxes’ on the Foundry Page… other than that I can’t think of anything I haven’t been able to see or do.
Both with Safari and Opera
[Susan R] It’s a bit crowded as one would expect, but SI works fine on my Droid. I can’t scroll the different ‘boxes’ on the Foundry Page… other than that I can’t think of anything I haven’t been able to see or do.Yes, but it’s not really that functional. It’s an endless process of enlarging, reducing, etc. Something custom designed for the smart phone would be great. The current one is too hard to use while I’m driving and eating a sandwich.
I haven’t had to enlarge or reduce on my phone. But I’ve only used it on occasion to do some quick catching up and post when our power was out or internet was down. I am sure a mobile version would be nicer though.
[Mike Durning]I think that driving and eating a sandwich is more than enough for drivers to do at once, but I have to commend you for your SI Zeal :)[Susan R] It’s a bit crowded as one would expect, but SI works fine on my Droid. I can’t scroll the different ‘boxes’ on the Foundry Page… other than that I can’t think of anything I haven’t been able to see or do.Yes, but it’s not really that functional. It’s an endless process of enlarging, reducing, etc. Something custom designed for the smart phone would be great. The current one is too hard to use while I’m driving and eating a sandwich.
I have an LG Ally, and while it works for reading SI, I do have to do quite a bit of enlarging and moving around the screen as well. Usually, I just read the new stuff and post later, when I have a keyboard to accommodate my fat fingers. The problem isn’t the functionality - it’s the size of the screen, and that’s not a programming issue.
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
While I do not specifically deny looking at SI while driving from time to time, Susan’s point about power outages and being away from the PC are probably more important uses to consider.
Our church’s web provider (Finalweb) has a well-designed auto-mobile site generator that has been very helpful. Our church first chose Finalweb because they enable those without HTML training (like my secretary) to edit the site. But the mobile site generator has been a great side-benefit.
You can see our regular site at www.mpbchurch.com. For comparison, our mobile site’s starting page looks like the picture shown.
It is stark, but it is VERY fast, very simple, and gives the essentials. It requires no maintenance. For prayer requests or church calendar checks, I find it easier than the main site. And the fact that church folk can load up the text or mp3 of my most recent sermon is something they seem to appreciate.
For SI, I would recommend something very simple also:
A header, with login and menus.
1. Today’s front page.
2. Filings
3. My forums
4. My inbox
5. Go to non-mobile site
Our church’s web provider (Finalweb) has a well-designed auto-mobile site generator that has been very helpful. Our church first chose Finalweb because they enable those without HTML training (like my secretary) to edit the site. But the mobile site generator has been a great side-benefit.
You can see our regular site at www.mpbchurch.com. For comparison, our mobile site’s starting page looks like the picture shown.
It is stark, but it is VERY fast, very simple, and gives the essentials. It requires no maintenance. For prayer requests or church calendar checks, I find it easier than the main site. And the fact that church folk can load up the text or mp3 of my most recent sermon is something they seem to appreciate.
For SI, I would recommend something very simple also:
A header, with login and menus.
1. Today’s front page.
2. Filings
3. My forums
4. My inbox
5. Go to non-mobile site
While I do occasionally read SI on my iPhone4, I limit it to catching up when I have no other way — it’s just too small and requires a lot of resizing, as others have stated. And for me, being a touch-typist, text entry on a phone is way too slow to be useful to me except in circumstances where nothing else is available. Like Jim, I’ve been able to use SI on my Mom’s iPad just fine, but I would still much rather use my laptop if I’m going to do any posting.
I agree with Mike that a well-designed mobile site is very valuable on a phone even if it’s not used while your attention should be elsewhere! :) Our church website is also available in a mobile edition that is much more usable (though more limited) on a phone than the full website.
If SI can be made mobile-friendly without a huge amount of time or expense, I would certainly use it.
I agree with Mike that a well-designed mobile site is very valuable on a phone even if it’s not used while your attention should be elsewhere! :) Our church website is also available in a mobile edition that is much more usable (though more limited) on a phone than the full website.
If SI can be made mobile-friendly without a huge amount of time or expense, I would certainly use it.
Dave Barnhart
I must admit .. I LOVE it when a site is configured for the phone. I tend to scan things when I’m waiting somewhere .. gives me something to do..
Mike’s example above is great .. I like it when I can get to “meat” of a site without fumbling around … sliding it back and forth .. and hoping I hit the right link..
Mike’s example above is great .. I like it when I can get to “meat” of a site without fumbling around … sliding it back and forth .. and hoping I hit the right link..
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